Shutter for accordions



June 2, 1936. s. RABUAZZO SHUT-TER FOR AccoRDIoNs 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 6, 1956 SAL VA 70 lNVENTOR Ef Enel/,4220

ATTORNEY Patented June 2, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SHUTTER FOR ACCORDIONS Salvatore Rabuazzo, New York, N. Y.

Application February 6, 1936, Serial No. 62,617

7 Claims. (Cl. 84-376) This invention relates to accordions. It is particularly directed to control mechanism for the shutter valves for accordions and the like instruments.

An object of this invention is to provide in an accordion having a highly improved shutter valve control mechanism so constructed that the same may be actuated easily by the player while his hand is at any position `on the key board.

A further object of this invention is to provide a highly simplified and positive shutter control for accordions of the character described.

A still further object of this invention is to provide in an accordion of the character described, means to indicate the relative position of the shutter valves.

'Yet another object of this invention is to provide a neat and compact shutter control mechanism which shall be relatively inexpensive tomanufacture, which may be readily incorporated into accordions and which shall yet be practical and efiicient to a high degree in use..

Other objects of this invention will in part be obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out.

This invention accordingly consists in the lfea.- tures of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope of application will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which is shown one of the various possible illustrative embodiments of this invention,

Fig. 1 is a top end View of an accordion embodying the invention, showing the indicating device;

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1 with parts broken away;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 3--3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a partial front elevational Vview of the shutter cover plate with parts broken away to show the interior construction;

Fig. 6 is a partial, perspective view of the slide valves and actuating levers;

Fig. '7 is` an enlarged, detailed View of the indicating mechanism;

Fig. 8 is a plan View of the indicating dial; and

Fig. 9 is a front view of a modiiied form of gear wheel.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, I0 designates one end of an accordion embodying '.theinvention. The same comprisesa housing or box-like frame for one end of the accordion to which the bellows is attached in any suitable manner. The housing II comprises side walls I2 and I3 and top wall I4. The housing contains the wind cells I6, slidably supporting the shutter valve slides il, cooperating with a front cover or shutter plate I8 attached to the housing II, in the manner well known in the art. Extending from the housing is a key board 20 having a wall 2| extending at an angle to the housing adjacent the wall I3 thereof. Fixed to the wall 2| are a pair oi headed screws or rivets 22, and a second pair of headed screws or rivets 23 parallel to the first pair and vertically aligned with respect thereto. A headed screw or rivet 24 is fixed to the plate 2| substantially midway between the screws or rivets 22 and 23. Slidably mounted on the screws or rivets 22, 23 and 24 is an actuating member 25, comprising a vertical member 26 projecting through a slot 26 in the edge of the keyboard and beyond the plate 2| and adapted to be engaged by the palm of the players hand while pressing the keys on the keyboard. Extending from the member 26 are a plurality-of parallel horizontal slotted arms 28, 29 and 30 slidably receiving the shanks of the screws or rivets 22, 23, and 24 respectively.

It will now be understood that the member l25 slidably moves or reciprocates inwardly and outwardly, being guided by the screws 22, 23, and 24. Fixed to the plate 2| is a rivet or pivot pin 3| diS- posed substantially midway between the slotted arms 28 and 3i). There is also fixed to the plate 2| a rivet or pivot pin 32 located substantially midway between the slotted arms 29 and 30 and vertically aligned with respect to the pinl 3|. Pivoted on the pin 3| is a lever 34 having a slot at its upper end engaging a headed pin 36 on the slotted arm 2S. t the lower end of lever 34 is a headed pin 31. Pivoted on the pin 32 is a lever 38 having a slot 39 at the upper end thereof engaging the headed rivet 31. The lower end of the lever 38 is also slotted as at 40 to receive. a pin 4| on the slotted arm 29. A coil tension spring 42 having o-ne end thereof xed to the plate 2| is attached at its other end to the lever 34 between the rivet 3| and the lower end of said lever. A similar spring 43 is likewise fixed at one end to the plate 2| and at its other end to the lever 38 above the pivot 32.

It will now be understood that when the member 25 is pressed inwardly, the lever 34 will be caused to rotate about the pivot 3| in a counter clockwise direction, and the lever 38 will be caused to rotate about the pivot 32 in a clockwise direction. When pressure is released from the member 25, the springs 42 and 43 rotate the levers 34 in opposite directions to slidably move the member 25 outwardly to normal position, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

There is also fixed to the plate 2| a pin 45 on which is rotatably mounted a wheel 46 having two diametrically opposite segmental gear portions 41. There is also xed to one face of the wheel 46 a plurality of equiangularly spaced pins 50, there being shown in the drawings for the purpose of illustration, six such pins. Pivoted to the forward end of the central slotted arm 30 is a pawl 5| having a notch 52 at the outer end thereof for engaging the pins 50. A spring pressed arm 54 contacting the pawl 5| serves to press the latter into contact with the pins 50. It will now be understood that as the member 25 reciprocates inwardly and outwardly, the pawl 5| will rotate the wheel 46 step by step due to engagement thereof with the successive pins 50. A spring pressed pawl 55 pivoted to the plate 2| and engaging the pins 50 serves to prevent movement of the wheel in an opposite direction.

Rotatably mounted on a plate 2| are a plurality of small gears 60, each having a pair of diametrically opposed segmental gear portions 6| with notches 62 between said gear portions. As shown in the drawings, three such gears 60 are provided, although the number may be changed, if desired. The three gears are preferably spaced apart 60 degrees and are at equal radial distances from the axis of wheel 46. The gear teeth of the segmental portion 6| are adapted to mesh with the gear teeth of the segmental portions 41 of the wheel 46. Each segment 41 is adapted to rotate each wheel 60 180 degrees. There is provided for each gear 60, a pivoted member 64, spring f gear 60.

pressed and having an end portion adapted to be received in one of the notches 62 to maintain said gear against retrograde rotation after said gear has been rotated by wheel 46.

It will now be understood that as the member 25 is reciprocated, the wheel 46 is rotated 60 degrees every time the member 25 is pressed, and the gears 60 will be rotated successively, each for 180 degrees. In other words, beginning with the parts as shown in Fig. 2, pressure of the member 25 will cause the top gear 60 to be rotated onehalf revolution. Upon release of the member 25, said member will move back to its normal position. Should said member be again depressed, the segmental gear portion which has rotated the top gear 60, will be in position for rotating the second Upon again actuating the member 25, the same segmental gear 41 will actuate the bottom gear 60. On the next actuation of the member 25, the other segmental gear 41 will rotate the top gear 69 another one-half revolution. The gears 60 are thus rotated successively each for one-half revolution, and while one of said gears is being rotated, the other two gears are held stationary by the pivoted pawls 64.

Pivoted to the plate 2| are three slotted levers 68 connected by links 69 to eccentric pins 10 on the respective gears 60. Thus, as one of the gears rotates one-half revolution, its lever 68 will be rotated in one direction, and upon rotating the same gear another 180 degrees, its lever will be rotated in an opposite direction. Such action is due to the crank action of the link 69 engaging the eccentric pin 10. Pivoted to the wall I3 of the housing are three cranks 12, each being connected by an arm 13 to one of the slotted arms 68. As the slotted levers 68 are rotated, their respective cranks will also be rotated. The cranks 12 project into the housing and have fixed arms 14.

Rotatably mounted within the housing on bearings 16 fixed to the top wall I4 of the housing 5 are shafts 11, there being three such shafts illustrated in the drawings. Each shaft 11 has a radial arm 18 connected by a link 19 to one of the crank arms 14. Rotation of the crank arm 12 will thus cause respective rotation of the shafts l0 11 about the axes of the latter. The shafts 11 have one or more radial arms 89 engaging one or more of the slide valves i1. The slide valves may be connected for actuation to the shaft 11 in any desired combination. As shown in the drawings, l5 one of the shafts 11 is attached to one slide valve, whereas the other two shafts are each connected to two other slide valves. In this manner, any of the slide valves may be controlled.

It will now be understood that as the member 20 25 is depressed, the shafts 11 will be successively rotated for actuating the slide valve. By actuating the member 25, any suitable relative position of the slide valve may be reached.

Means is provided for indicating the various 25 positions of the slide valves. To this end, there is xed to the plate 2 a pivot 82. Pivoted thereon is a lever 83 having a slotted end 84 engaging a pin 85 at the forward end of the slotted arm 28. There is also pivoted to the plate 2| a pin 90 on 30 which is rotatably mounted a lever 9|, one end of which is connected by a link 92 to the lower end of lever 83. The upper end of the lever 9| is slotted as at 94, and engages one end of a lever 95 pivoted as at 96 to a plate or portion 91 located 35 adjacent the top end of the keyboard. Pivoted on a plate 91 is a ratchet wheel 98 having a plurality of equiangularly spaced pins 99 and a similar number of ratchet teeth |00. Pivoted to the lever 95 is a pawl |02 held by a spring |03 in 40 engagement with the teeth 99.

It will now be understood that each time the member 25 is actuated, the motion will be transmitted through the levers 03, 8|, and 95 to the pawl |02 for rotating the wheel 96. A spring 45 pressed pawl |04 engaging the ratchet teeth |00 serves to prevent retrograde movement of the ratchet wheel 98. Said ratchet wheel has a dial face |05 with numbers |06. The position of the dial may be seen through an opening |01 in the 50 plate 91. One of the numbers of the dial may be seen through said opening in all positions of the dial.

In Fig. 9, there is shown a wheel 46a having three segmental gear portions 41a. Such a wheel 55 would be employed where only two gears 60 are used instead of threegfor actuating two shafts 11 instead of three.

It will thus be seen that there is provided a device in which the several objects of this inven- 60 tion are achieved, and which is well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention, and as various changes might be made in the embodiments above 65 set forth, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim 70 as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

I. In an accordion, a keyboard, a member adjacent one edge of the keyboard, and being slidable with respect thereto, a wheel pivoted to the keyboard and having a plurality of segmental 75 gear portions, means operatively connected to said member for intermittently rotating said wheel, a plurality of gears on said keyboard adapted to be successively rotated by said segmental gear portions degrees upon rotation of said Wheel, and means operatively connected to said gears for controlling the shutter slide valves of the accordion.

2. In an accordion, a keyboard, a member adjacent one edge of the keyboard, and being slidable with respect thereto, a Wheel pivoted to the keyboard and having a plurality of segmental gear portions, means operatively connected to said member for intermittently rotating said Wheel, a plurality of gears on said keyboard adapted to be successively rotated by said segmental gear portions 180 degrees upon rotation of said wheel, means operatively connected to said gears for controlling the shutter slide valves of the accordion, and means operatively interconnected to said member for indicating the position of the slide valve.

3. In an accordion, a keyboard, a wheel rotatable thereon, having a plurality of segmental gear portions, means for intermittently rotating said wheel, a plurality of gears rotatably mounted on said keyboard and adapted to be successively rotated by said Wheel, and means operatively connected to said gear Wheels for controlling the slide valve of said shutter.

4. In an accordion, a keyboard, a member disposed adjacent the edge of said keyboard and slidably mounted thereon, said member being adapted to be pressed by the palm of the players hand while pressing the keys of the keyboard, spring means for returning said member to normal position upon releasing pressure therefrom, a dial rotatably mounted on said accordion, means for actuating said dial connected to said member, a wheel rotatably mounted on said keyboard and having a plurality of pins thereon, a pawl on said member engaging said pins, said wheel having a pair of diametrically opposite segmental gear portions, a plurality of gears on said keyboard, spaced 60 degrees apart and at equal radial distances from the center of the disc, and each having a pair of opposite segmental gear portions with notches therebetween, pivoted members adapted to engage Within said notches, the segmental gear portions of said Wheel being adapted to rotate said gears successively each for one half revolution, levers interconnected by links to said gears, cranks pivoted to said accordion and interconnected to said levers and means on said cranks for controlling the slide shutter valves of said accordion.

5. In an accordion, a keyboard, a member disposed adjacent the edge of said keyboard and slidably mounted thereon, said member being adapted to be pressed by the palm of the players hand while pressing the keys of the keyboard, spring means for returning said member to normal position upon releasing pressure therefrom, a dial rotatably mounted on said accordion, means for actuating said dial connected to said member, a wheel rotatably mounted on said keyboard and having a plurality of pins thereon, a pawl on said member engaging said pins, said wheel having a pair of diametrically opposite segmental gear portions, a plurality of gears on said keyboard, spaced 60 degrees apart and at equal radial distances from the center of the disc, and each having a pair of opposite segmental gear portions with notches therebetween, pivoted members adapted to engage Within said notches, the segmental gear portions of said Wheel being adapted to rotate said gears successively each for one half revolution, levers interconnected by links to said gears, cranks pivoted to said accordion and interconnected to said levers and means on said cranks for controlling the slide shutter valves of said accordion, said last means including shafts rotatably mounted in said accordion and having arms engaging said slide valves and being connected to said cranks.

6. In an accordion, a housing for the wind cells, a shutter cover plate on said housing, a plurality of slide valves cooperating with said shutter plate, a keyboard extending from said housing, an elongated member slidably mounted on said keyboard and disposed adjacent the edge thereof and adapted to be pressed by the palm of the players hand while pressing the keys of the keyboard, a plurality of slotted arms extending from said member, pins on said keyboard extending Within said slots, a pair of levers pivoted to said keyboard connected by pin and slot connections at adjacent ends, said levers being connected to said member by pin and slot connections, springs interconnecting said levers to said keyboard, a Wheel rotatably mounted on said keyboard and having gear teeth thereon, cooperating means on said member and wheel for intermittently rotating the latter through predetermined angles upon reciprocating said member, a plurality of gears on said keyboard adapted to be successively rotated through predetermined angles as said Wheel is rotated, eccentric pins on said gears, levers pivoted to said keyboard and connected to said eccentric pins, cranks rotatably mounted on a Wall of said housing and engaging said last m'entioned levers, and a plurality of shafts rotatably mounted within said housing and connected to said cranks and valves.

7. In an accordion, a housing for the wind cells, a shutter cover plate on said housing, a plurality of slide valves cooperating with said shutter plate, a keyboard extending from said housing, an elongated member slidably mounted on said keyboard and disposed adjacent the edge thereof and adapted to be pressed by the palm of the players hand while pressing the keys of the keyboard, a plurality of slotted arms extending from said member, pins on said keyboard extending Within said slots, a pair of levers pivoted to said keyboard connected by pin and slot connections at adjacent ends, said levers being connected to said member by pin and slot connections, springs interconnecting said levers to said keyboard, a Wheel rotatably mounted on said keyboard and having gear teeth thereon, cooperating means on said member and wheel for intermittently rotating the latter through predetermined angles upon reciprocating said member, a plurality of gears on said keyboard adapted to be successively rotated through predetermined angles as said wheel is rotated. eccentric pins on said gears, levers pivoted to said keyboard and connected to said eccentric pins, cranks rotatably mounted on a wall of said housing and engaging said last mentioned levers, a plurality of shafts rotatably mounted within said housing and connected to said cranks and valves, and a dial rotatably mounted on said accordion, means for intermittently rotating said dial, including a lever pivoted to said keyboard and having a pin and slot connection with one of the slotted arms of said member.

SALVATORE RABUAZZO. 

